Trump Announces $175 Billion Golden Dome Missile Defense System

President Donald Trump has announced the "Golden Dome," a $175 billion multilayered missile defense system intended to protect the United States from advanced threats such as hypersonic weapons, fractional orbital bombardment systems, and space-launched missiles. The system, modeled on Israel's Iron Dome but significantly larger and more complex, will incorporate both ground- and space-based interceptors capable of detecting and neutralizing missiles at various stages of attack, including pre-launch and midcourse phases. Trump has requested an initial $25 billion funding allocation and aims for the system to be operational by the end of his term in 2029, although officials suggest initial capabilities may emerge first. General Michael Guetlein will oversee the program, which has raised concerns among experts and lawmakers about its feasibility, high costs—potentially exceeding $500 billion over 20 years—and implications for space militarization. SpaceX has emerged as a potential contractor, though Elon Musk has denied formal involvement, amid scrutiny over possible conflicts of interest. The announcement also influenced financial markets, triggering rallies in defense stocks like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies, and spurring increased trading activity in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, reflecting investor reactions to heightened defense spending and geopolitical tensions.